also-ran

noun

al·​so-ran ˈȯl(t)-(ˌ)sō-ˌran 

ˈȯ-

1

: a horse or dog that finishes out of the money in a race

2

: a contestant that does not win

3

: one that is of little importance especially competitively

… taking the club from an also-ran to a dominant force.

—Pan Pylas

Examples of also-ran in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And on that question, the gap between the companies that control their own silicon and software and the companies that lease it is the gap that will separate the winners from the also-rans. —Sarwant Singh, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

An hour before the new poll was released, one of the also-rans, former Controller Betty Yee, tearfully suspended her campaign — understandable, given her 1% standing. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026

Eric Swalwell’s exit from the race has presented an opportunity for the also-ran candidates to surge into contention. —Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026

John Poulakidas scored 28 points to lead the Mavericks in a meeting of also-rans that more closely resembled a summer league game. —CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

also-ran

noun

al·​so-ran

-ˌran

1

: a horse or dog that does not finish in the first three places in a race

2

: a contestant that does not win